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Kershaw is fastest Dodger to 1,000 K's

4/17/13: Clayton Kershaw gets Yonder Alonso swinging in the second inning to record the 1,000th strikeout of his Major League career

By Ken Gurnick and Austin Laymance
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MLB.com |

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw will tally many more strikeouts in his Major League career, but he recorded one to remember on Wednesday night against the Padres.

Kershaw struck out San Diego first baseman Yonder Alonso on a 93-mph fastball in the second inning, the 1,000th of his career, hitting the milestone in fewer career innings (970) than the club's previous record holder, Sandy Koufax (990).

Kershaw is the 13th Dodgers pitcher to record at least 1,000 strikeouts, and the second-youngest, at 25 years, 29 days. He was beat to the mark by Fernando Valenzuela, who hit the milestone at 24 years, 303 days.

Kershaw, who entered Wednesday's game tied for third in the National League with 25 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings, has struck out at least 212 in each of the last three seasons.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter and Austin Laymance is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.